Safety closure

ABSTRACT

The safety cap closure is adapted to lock to a container and prevent small children from readily gaining access to harmful substances within the container, while at the same time, being easily and rapidly removable by adults with impaired vision. The safety cap closure includes two relatively rotatable cap sections, both of which must be moved to a predetermined position to unlock the cap closure. Surface discontinuities located on the cap sections and the container are alignable by means of the tactual sense to enable rapid release of the safety cap closure without the use of the visual senses.

- United States Patent [191 Corcoran May 1, 1973 SAFETY CLOSURE Primary ExaminerGeorge T. Hall [76] Inventor: Edward J. Corcoran, P.O. Box Atmmey Damel Slxbey 3395, L t Fl .33460 a 57 ABSTRACT 72 [22] Flled Feb 19 The safety cap closure is adapted to lock to a con- [2l] App]. No.: 227,903 tainer and prevent small children from readily gaining access to harmful substances within the container, while at the same time, being easily and rapidly (gl removable by adults with impaired vision. The safety Fi d 215/9 95 cap closure includes two relatively rotatable cap sec- I e a c tions, both of which must be moved to a predetep mined position to unlock the cap closure. Surface [56] References cued discontinuities located on the cap sections and the UNITED STATES PATENTS container are alignable by means of the tactual sense to enable rapid release of the safety cap closure 3,587,896 6/1971 Graff ..2l5/9 without the use f the visual Senses- 3,633,779 1/1972 Field ..2l5/9 14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures IO I6 k/ l i |2-w 1 \-|4 1 s/ -1 3 s 36 8 32 3 3 3 '1 4 II: I l l (I z i' i l l 1 30? X 2 Ill l 1 l8 vI 1 2O |ll lug In 1 i l i l L l PATENTED MAY 1 I973 SHEET 1 [1F 2 Fig. 5

PATENTEU H973. 3. 7730.371

SHEET 2 [1F 2 SAFETY CLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The inordinate number of small children who have been killed or permanently injured by the improper consumption of drugs, medicines, and other harmful substances has led to extensive research and development in the field of positive locking safety containers. The pharmaceutical and container industries have developed a number of safety closure caps designed to positively lock potentially hazardous substances within a container while presenting obstacles to closure operation which may not be surmounted by the very young. For example, one type of safety closure known to the prior art requires the alignment of a plurality of separately rotatable cap elements to achieve closure removal. U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,834 to Kimball and U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,406 to Sauber are illustrative of safety caps of this general type.

Unfortunately, many medicines and other substances which are potentially hazardous to the very young, must be readily and rapidly accessible to those who suffer from impaired vision. The very obstacles incorporated in known safety closures for precluding operation thereof by young children also operate detrimentally to inhibit rapid access to the contents of a protected container by adults with impaired vision such as the very old who have great need for the medicinal contents of the container. It is often crucial for these persons to be able to rapidly and easily operate the same safety closure which presents an obstacle to small children. Safety closures which effectively meet this very important dual operability requirement have not been developed prior to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of this invention is to provide a safety enclosure including a cap closure and container which not only is adapted to prevent unauthorized opening by the very young but also is adapted for use by individuals having impaired vision.

More particularly, an object of this invention is to provide a safety enclosure including a safety cap closure having first and second cap means which can be independently rotated solely by means of the sense of touch from a first position in which the safety cap closure is locked to a container to a second position in which the enclosure may be removed from the container.

A further object of this invention is to provide a safety enclosure including a container having a circular opening and closure means for closing said circular opening. The closure means is formed by first and second cap means which can be independently rotated from a first locking position to a second opening position,and cap position indicating means for facilitating a tactual indication of the position of the first and second cap means with respect to the container. The position indicating means include surface discontinuities alignable with each other when the first and second cap means are rotated to the second position to form a single continuous surface discontinuity across the container and closure means, thus permitting an individual of impaired vision to open and close the container opening by rotating the first and second cap means to the second position by use of only the tactual sense.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a safety enclosure satisfying the above objects and further to provide first and second lips on the first and second cap means, respectively, to lock the closure means to the container when the first-and second lips are positioned beneath at least a pair of tabs integrally connected to the container.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a safety enclosure satisfying the above objects and further to provide projections integral with the second lips and extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the container opening when the second cap means is in the first position and engaging means integral with said tabs for engaging and holding the projections as the second cap means is rotated to the first position.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a safety enclosure satisfying the above objects and further to provide projections on one cap means biased to move into windows formed in the other cap means such that the projections constitute a section of the single continuous surface discontinuity across the container and the closure means to aid in opening and closing the container solely through the use of the tactual sense.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. ll illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the safety enclosure of this invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of the safety enclosure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top elevational view of the container illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational view of the bottom side of the inner cap means illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the inner cap of FIG. 4 taken along lines 5-5;

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational view of the bottom side of the outer cap means illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view of the outer cap means of FIG. 6 taken along lines 77;

FIG. 8 illustrates a broken view of an interconnected engaging means and projection for holding the closure means in a locked position relative to the container; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a top elevational view of a container designed in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The safety enclosure of FIG. 1 includes a container 2 for storing potentially dangerous substances such as medicines or chemicals and a closure means 4 for closing an opening located at one end of the container.

The closure means 4, which will subsequently be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4-8, includes an outer cup-shaped cap section 6 surrounding a rotatably connected inner cap section 8 which is movable relative to the outer cap section by means of a knob 10.

The safety enclosure is provided with an elongated surface discontinuity formed by a pair of rib sections 12, 14 extending along the top and sides of the outer cap section 6, a rib section 16 extending across knob 10, and a pair of opposed rib sections 18, formed on the lateral surfaces of the container 2 (FIG. 3). These respective rib sections provide an indication of the relative positions of the inner and outer cap sections and the container. More particularly, the various rib sections are arranged to provide a single continuous elongated surface discontinuity beginning on one side of the container and extending across the closure means and down an opposite side of the container when the inner and outer cap sections are rotated to a position in which the container may be opened and closed. This surface discontinuity is sufficiently distinct from the remaining surfaces of the safety enclosure for a person to determine, easily, the relative position of the cap sections and container solely through the sense of touch. Accordingly, the discontinuity may consist of rib sections, as disclosed in FIG. 1, or any other elongated pattern which can be tactually sensed such as a groove, series of projections or roughened surface strip.

This arrangement of tactual indicia is particularly useful to the blind, and such indicia also eliminates the inconvenience caused to those individuals who are incapable of reading visual indicia without the aid of eye glasses or other optical aids. The surface discontinuities may have a different color from that of the cap sections and container, thereby providing a person having normal vision with an alternate means for properly positioning the cap sections to open and close the container.

The outer cap section 6 is provided with a pair of openings 22 extending therethrough and aligned with the rib sections 12 and 14. These openings are adapted to receive a person's fingertips and'permit contact between the fingertips and the upper surface of the inner cap section 8. This upper inner cap section surface is provided with a pair of aligned projections 24, 26 which are formed for providing an additional tactual indication of the position of the inner cap section relative to the outer cap section. The projections are positioned so that each will move into openings 22 when the inner and outer cap sections are rotated relative to one another to an unlocking position, and thus provide another tactual and visual indication of the relative position of the inner and outer cap sections. Additionally, the projections 24 and 26 may be designed to hold the inner and outer cap sections in a substantially fixed relative position while the closure means 4 is inserted onto and removed from the container. Movement of the projections 24 and 26 into openings 22 also provides a detectable tactual sensation as the projections snap into the openings.

The projections 24, 26 are alignable with the rib sections 12, 14, 18 and 20 to produce a single continuous indicia from the sides of the container 2 across the entire closure means 4. Although projections 24 and 26 are preferable, they may be replaced by grooves or other surface discontinuities which form tactual and visual indicia to enable a person with badly impaired vision to operate the safety enclosure aided by his remaining sense of vision.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, closure means 4 includes an outer cup-shaped cap section 6 which defines a central cavity in which is positioned the inner cap section 8. The knob 10 is integrally connected to the inner cap section by a stern which is rotatably journalled within a central aperture 28 formed in the outer cap section. Thus the knob and stem hold the inner and outer cap sections together. To secure the closure means to the container, the outer and inner cap sections are provided with radially inwardly projecting lips 30, 32, respectively, adapted to fit beneath a pair of outwardly directed tabs 34 provided on the container outer surface adjacent to the container opening.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top elevational view of the container 2 with the closure means 4 removed to clearly illustrate the shape of tabs 34. While two tabs are shown, any number of tabs may be employed.

The inner cap section 8 of FIG. 2 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, and it will be noted that the inner cap section is provided with a pair of spaced slots 36 formed in lip 32 and positioned to correspond in shape and number to the tabs 34 of the container. Slots 36 are shaped and positioned to allow the container tabs to pass therethrough when the inner cap section 8 is rotated to a position wherein the tabs 34 are axially aligned with the slots 36.

Outer cap section 6, illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, also includes a pair of spaced slots 38 formed in lip 30 and positioned to correspond to tabs 34 of the container. Slots 38 are also shaped to allow the tabs 34 to pass therethrough when the outer cap section 6 is rotated to a position in which tabs 34 are axially aligned with slots 38. Thus, the closure means 4 can only be inserted onto and removed from the container 2 when both the inner and outer cap sections are rotated to a position in which the slots in each cap section are simultaneously axially aligned with tabs 34 of the container. Once the closure means is inserted onto the container and one or both of the cap sections are rotated to a position wherein the inwardly projecting lips 30 or 32 of one or both of the cap sections are beneath tabs 34, the closure means will be locked to the container.

FIG. 8 illustrates means for holding the closure 4 in a locked position which includes a projection 40 provided on the inside surface of lip 32 of the inner cap section. Projection 40 is adapted to interconnect with an engaging means 42 located on the lower surface of each tab 34. As the inner cap section 8 is rotated in the direction of arrow 44, projection 40 contacts a sloping surface 46 of the engaging means 42 and upon further movement of the inner cap section, snaps into a detent 48. Obviously, a projection 40 may be provided to cooperate with engaging means 42 so that the projections and engaging means are carried on the tabs and inner cap section lip respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the container tabs 34 may be replaced by a radially outwardly extending lip 50 posi-' tioned around the circumference of the container opening. This arrangement would require a corresponding modification of the inner and outer cap sections including the replacement of the radially inwardly directed lips 30 and 32 with inwardly directed tabs positioned to pass through slots 52 of the container lip to lock the closure means to the container.

Iclaim:

l. A safety enclosure adapted for use by individuals with impaired vision, comprising a container having a circular opening, said container including retaining means;

closure means for closing said circular opening, said closure means including a first cap section, said first cap section including first cap locking means for cooperating with said retaining means to lock said first cap section to said container when said first cap section is positioned at a first locking position and for allowing said first cap section to be inserted onto and removed from said container when said first cap section is positioned at a first unlocking position, asecond cap section disposed within said first cap section and rotatably secured thereto, said second cap section including second cap locking means for cooperating with said retaining means to lock said second cap section to said container when said second cap section is positioned at a second locking position and for allowing said second cap section to be inserted onto and removed from said container when said second cap section is positioned at a second unlocking position,

said closure means being insertable onto and removable from said container only when both said first and said second cap sections are simultaneously in said first and second unlocking positions, respectively; and position indicating means visible externally of said safety enclosure for indicating the relative positions of said first and second cap sections with respect to said container, said position indicating means including indicia located on said first cap section, said second cap section and said container, said indicia being positioned to align with each other to form a single continuous indicium across said closure means and along at least one side of said container when said first and second cap sections are simultaneously positioned at said first and second unlocking positions, respectively.

2. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said indicia includes elongated surface discontinuities located on said first and second cap sections and said container, said discontinuities being tactually and visibly sensible from outside said container to allow a person of impared vision to rotate said first and second cap sections to move the indicia thereon into alignment with the indicium on said container.

3. A safety enclosure according to claim 2 wherein said first cap section includes at least one opening located along the surface discontinuity of said first cap section and wherein said surface discontinuity of said second cap section is positioned beneath said opening to form a section of said single continuous indicium when said first and second cap sections are positioned at said first and second unlocking positions, respectively.

4. A safety enclosure according to claim 3 wherein said surface discontinuity on said second cap section projects into said one opening when said first and second cap sections are located at said first and second unlocking positions, respectively.

5. A safety enclosure according to claim 4 wherein said elongated surface discontinuities on said container and said first cap sections include projections integrally connected to said container and said first cap section.

6. A safety enclosure according to claim 2 wherein said elongated surface discontinuities include projections integrally connected to said container and said first and second cap sections.

7. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 2 wherein said elongated surface discontinuities differ in color from the remaining portions of said closure means and container.

8. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second cap section includes actuator means for rotating said second cap section relative to said first cap section, said actuator means extending beyond the confines of said first cap section.

9. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 8 wherein said actuator means includes a knob and a shaft integrally connecting said knob to said second cap section, and wherein said first cap section includes an opening in alignment with said indicia on said first cap means, said shaft being rotatably journalled within said opening.

10. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 9 wherein the indicium of said second cap section is located on said knob.

lll. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first cap section includes at least one opening in alignment with said indicium located on said first cap section, said indicium on said second cap section being visible through said opening when said first and second cap sections are located at said first and second unlocking positions, respectively.

12. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes at least a pair of tabs integrally connected to said container, said tabs extending radially outwardly from the side of said container, and wherein said first and second cap locking means include first and second lips projecting radially inwardly from the circumferential edge of said first and second cap sections, respectively, said first and second lips being arranged beneath said tabs to lock said first and second cap sections to said container when said first and second cap sections are in said first and second locking positions, respectively, said first and second lips including slots axially alignable with said tabs when said first and second cap sections are in said first and second unlocking positions.

13. A safety enclosure according to claim 12 including pressure means formed on said tabs and said second lip for drawing said second cap section into sealing engagement with said container when said second cap section is moved to said second locking position.

14. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said single continuous indicium is positioned diametrically across said closure means when said first and second cap sections are simultaneously positioned at said first and second unlocking position, respectively. 

1. A safety enclosure adapted for use by individuals with impaired vision, comprising a container having a circular opening, said container including retaining means; closure means for closing said circular opening, said closure means including a first cap section, said first cap section including first cap locking means for cooperating with said retaining means to lock said first cap section to said container when said first cap section is positioned at a first locking position and for allowing said first cap section to be inserted onto and removed from said container when said first cap section is positioned at a first unlocking position, a second cap section disposed within said first cap section and rotatably secured thereto, said second cap section including second cap locking means for cooperating with said retaining means to lock said second cap section to said container when said second cap section is positioned at a second locking position and for allowing said second cap section to be inserted onto and removed from said container when said second cap section is positioned at a second unlocking position, said closure means being insertable onto and removable from said container only when both said first and said second cap sections are simultaneously in said first and second unlocking positions, respectively; and position indicating means visible externally of said safety enclosure for indicating the relative positions of said first and second cap sections with respect to said container, said position indicating means including indicia located on said first cap section, said second cap section and said container, said indicia being positioned to align with each other to form a single continuous indicium across said closure means and along at least one side of said container when said first and second cap sections are simultaneously positioned at said first and second unlocking positions, respectively.
 2. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said indicia includes elongated surface Discontinuities located on said first and second cap sections and said container, said discontinuities being tactually and visibly sensible from outside said container to allow a person of impared vision to rotate said first and second cap sections to move the indicia thereon into alignment with the indicium on said container.
 3. A safety enclosure according to claim 2 wherein said first cap section includes at least one opening located along the surface discontinuity of said first cap section and wherein said surface discontinuity of said second cap section is positioned beneath said opening to form a section of said single continuous indicium when said first and second cap sections are positioned at said first and second unlocking positions, respectively.
 4. A safety enclosure according to claim 3 wherein said surface discontinuity on said second cap section projects into said one opening when said first and second cap sections are located at said first and second unlocking positions, respectively.
 5. A safety enclosure according to claim 4 wherein said elongated surface discontinuities on said container and said first cap sections include projections integrally connected to said container and said first cap section.
 6. A safety enclosure according to claim 2 wherein said elongated surface discontinuities include projections integrally connected to said container and said first and second cap sections.
 7. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 2 wherein said elongated surface discontinuities differ in color from the remaining portions of said closure means and container.
 8. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second cap section includes actuator means for rotating said second cap section relative to said first cap section, said actuator means extending beyond the confines of said first cap section.
 9. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 8 wherein said actuator means includes a knob and a shaft integrally connecting said knob to said second cap section, and wherein said first cap section includes an opening in alignment with said indicia on said first cap means, said shaft being rotatably journalled within said opening.
 10. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 9 wherein the indicium of said second cap section is located on said knob.
 11. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first cap section includes at least one opening in alignment with said indicium located on said first cap section, said indicium on said second cap section being visible through said opening when said first and second cap sections are located at said first and second unlocking positions, respectively.
 12. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes at least a pair of tabs integrally connected to said container, said tabs extending radially outwardly from the side of said container, and wherein said first and second cap locking means include first and second lips projecting radially inwardly from the circumferential edge of said first and second cap sections, respectively, said first and second lips being arranged beneath said tabs to lock said first and second cap sections to said container when said first and second cap sections are in said first and second locking positions, respectively, said first and second lips including slots axially alignable with said tabs when said first and second cap sections are in said first and second unlocking positions.
 13. A safety enclosure according to claim 12 including pressure means formed on said tabs and said second lip for drawing said second cap section into sealing engagement with said container when said second cap section is moved to said second locking position.
 14. A safety enclosure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said single continuous indicium is positioned diametrically across said closure means when said first and second cap sections are simultaneously positioned at said first and second unlocking position, reSpectively. 